Hair clipper



' June l'3, 1933. D N4 1,914,243

HAIR CLIPPER Filed Jan. 26 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l June 13, 1933. J. DEAN 1,914,243

HAIR CLIPPER Filed Jan. 26, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 a9 cutter blade typecapable of -2 centrally arranged with respect to operating edge of the cutter blade, to main Patented June 13, 1 933 PANY, or BAGI-NE, WISCONSIN, A oonroRAT-Ion or WISCONSIN nam- CLIPPER Application filed January 26,1932. seriai No. 588,981.

. This invention relates to hair clippers; and

the objects and nature of the invention wlll be understood by those skilled in the art-in light of the. following-.iexplanatiOIi.of the ac;

5 com'panying drawings that illustrate what If now believe to be the preferred mechanical expression; or embodiment of I my invention fromaniong other forms, constructions and arrangements within the spiritand scope of 1Q the invention.

a: A particular basa 5f the invention is. to 7 reduce to the minimum side motion with reg sultinghair pull, in the operation of hand hair clippers, and to produce an improved if; hair clipper peculiarly adapted for home use by those not skilled handhair' clipper op eration- I 1 A further object of theIji-nvention is to provide a hand hairiclipper of thefreciprocatory being held" and advancedby. either the right or the left; hand while actuated by thethumb or finger of suchhand through. a straight line operat ing pull approximately perpendicular and the front tain steadiness of the clipper head-against side or lateral motion thereof and hair pullin'gjwhich results from such side motion. A further obj ect of the invention is to improve structural features, arrangements and combinations, with the end inview of pro.- dllcing a simple, durable, ta'geous hand hair clipper. 1 b I, V A further object of ftheinvention. is to adapt to a hand hair cutter, the principle of a fire arm which in use is pressed against the shoulder or hand and is'discharged by a fin ger trigger so arranged as to avoid causing 40 lateral or side motion of the barrel to main:

4 tain barrel steadiness,

the trigger rearwardly with the'end in view ofpromoting stead'ness of the-hair clipper headagainstside motion wheninaction, by providing-the hair clipper headwith a rigid rearwardly extending handle formed to seat at its rear against the palm portion of the hand while the clipper head with itstransversely arranged cutter is being pushed forward on and pressed against the skin, and a and highly advanwhen the finger moves Jean man, on fincrnn'wisoonsm, ns'srenon mo Jonivos rnn MANurAorun NG com v finger trigger located between the hand and clipper head for reciprocation by a finger or thumb of the hand in a preferably straight line perpendicular to the transverse front line of the-cutterand lntersectingsa'id.frontline approximately midway its length.

With the foregoing and other objects, in

organization and or described andspecified hereinafter.

Referring to the accompanyingdrawings, forming part hereof: I

Fig. 11S a Side elevationof a hair clipper view, the invention consists in certain novel features of structure, I combinatlon, as more fully and particularly frame, the bell crank normallyjoperatively coupled to the reciprocatory blade for reciprocating the same, and the operating connec tion between said slide and bell crank.

Fig. his a detail detached view ofthe pref erably tubular shank and thehead cap. In the particular construction illustrated asan example of my invention, a relatively wide long flat bottom cutter or comb plate 1, is provided having a straight front row of parallel forwardly projecting cutting teeth 1a, throughout the length of its front edge. A relatively short flat cutter plate 2, that is relativelyfn'arrow from front to rear rests and reciprocates endwise onthe forward portion of the top face of comb plate 1, and the straight frontedge of cutter plate 2, throughout its length, provides a straight row of parallel forwardly projecting cutting teeth 2a, over and complementary to the teeth. 1a, to slide thereon and cooperate therewith in hair cutting, preferablj', in the usual manner.

The cutter blades are, in the example shown, held in operative assembly by a'cap' 3,

7.5 one-piece frame that provides th depending rounded bearing abutment 3a, that bears or fulcrums on the central portion of the top face of the rear end of the comb plate, and at its front edge forming a straight transverse dependingbearing edge or flange 3b, and a central relatively elongated depending tenon 3c. The bearing edge fits in a top groove throughout the length of reciprocatory cutter blade 2, to confine said blade to straight line reciprocation, and the tenon 30, extends down through elongated longitudinal slot 2b, in said cutter 2, removably into a mortise in comb plate 1, to limit the range of reciprocation of blade 2, and to maintain the plates and cap properly centered and alined. i

The preferably headed bolt or stud l, rises from the comb plate, preferably along the center longitudinal front to rear axis thereof. Bolt el, is preferably normally operatively fixed to the comb plate at a point in advance of the rear end of said plate and to the rear of the top cutter plate 2', and extends upwardly therefrom loosely through a hollow bearing stud 3d, rigid with the cap and depending therein from the top wall thereof, and

through the top wall of the cap, and abovethe dome is preferably arovided with a finger opera-ted nut, such as wing nut 5, screwed on the upwardly projecting screw threaded end of the bolt, and a spring washer 6, interposed between the top surface of the cap and the nut, to function in holding the cap and "plates or blades assembled and in controlling the tension or pressure of the top blade on the lower blade, in the usual or any other suitable manner.

I have thus described a hair clipper head assembly that is more or less typical of hair clippers in general use, but I do not wish to limit my present invention to this exact assembly although well adapted to my invention, as my invention can depart from this 1 assembly and is adapted to other reciprocatory blade hair clipper head assemblies.

In the particular embodiment illustrated as an example of my invention, 1 show cutter blade actuating mechanism that embodies a bell crank operatively coupled to the reciproeating blade, but do not wish to so limit all features of my invention. In this example, said bell crank is made in one piece and includes a vertically elongated hollow bearin hub 7, centered and rotatable on the fixe hollow bearing stud 3d, and formed with a rigid forwardly extending crank or lever arm 7a, with a depending front end removably entering and having loose bearing in a vertical socket or aperture 20, in reciprocatory blade 2, to reciprocate said blade by oscillation of the bell crank 011 its bearing stud 3d. Said hub 7, of the bell crank is also formed with a rigid radial arm 76, projecting laterally therefrom, at an angle to arm 7a, say at an angle of 90, and this arm 7 b, is formed mately 45 is satisfactory, although my in vention is not so limited. This shank is preferably located in the plane of the central longitudinal axis of the hair clipper, which plane preferably intersects at right angles the straighttransverse row of teeth 1a, at a point midway the length thereof, and also preferably includes the axis of the bell crank and the tensionbolt 4:, although I do not wish to so limit all features of my invention. The I rear portion of this shank 9, provides a transverse seat, cap or enlarged abutment 10 to take and afford firm steadying and supporting bearing or seating against the inner or palm side of either hand that is operating the cutter. For instance, in the example illustrated, I show the rear end of the shank provided with a transverse normally fixed or rigid laterally enlarged cap, head or disk 10, of relatively large diameter presenting a convexed rear face of large area. The annular front face of this rigid cap, is preferably substantially concaved to afford a finger hold or to enable the little or other finger to grasp and hold the cap against the inner side of the hand, if so desired. 7

In the example illustrated, said main supporting frame is asingle rigid unit, preferaforming an enlarged front end extension of the shank 9. The shank extendsupwardly and rearWardly from the upper rear end of the cap and merges into the rear. of the cap and provides the depending rear wall of the cap. The shank is longitudinally tubular or hollow and its bore into the upper rear of the chamber enclosed by the dome-like cap. The outer end of the bore of the tubular shank is closed by the enlarged transverse cap 10, which in the example shown has arigid screw threaded stud 10a, that screws into the internally threaded rear end of the shank.

Any suitable actuating means is provided at its front end opens for actuating or reciprocating the transverse front hair cuttmg mechanism, and this actuating means includes a finger trigger 12, ac-- cessible at the exterior of the shank 9, movable longitudinally thereof and located between the enlarged end head 10, and the cap 3, of the hair clipper head. This trigger -40 Any suitable 12, is, in the example shown, in the form 'of a horn having its outer freeend directe'd'for wardly or of hook shape projecting radially from the shank and open at its front side, its

side facing the hair clipper head, and closed at its rear side that faces the head 10, of the shank. This trigger is thus formed so that a finger (and by finger I include thumb) of the hand against which shankjhead is 10 held, can grasp or partially wraparound the hook and hold the shank rearwardly with its head 10, firmly seated against the .palm por tion of the hand, even" while such finger in rapid succession pullsthetrigger rearward 1 ly and then releases the same for its'forward return stroke, to rapidly reciprocate the upper cutter blade. In other words, the trigger performs the double function of causing upper cutter blade reciprocation, and while doing so cooperates with the finger caught, around the trigger and alternating pulling back on and permitting forward movement of the trigger, in holding the shank steady and firmly against the palm of the hand and thus constitutes an important element of the handle by which the hand holds and maintains the hair cutter while pressing the same against the skin and pushing the same forward.

In the example illustrated, the finger trig-V,

ger is arranged longitudinally and exteriorly of the top or upper side of the shank 9, with its base approximately fitting the exterior surface thereof and the hook upstanding therefrom,fand the trigger movable longitudinally of the shank, on its short back and 'return strokes, the full trigger stroke being usually not more than approximately one quarter of an inch or less.

preferably spring-pressed movement transmitting and cutter blade reciprocating mechanism, operatively connects the trigger with said blade. For instance, I show a spring-pressed reciprocatory slideblock 14, longitudinally guided by and slidably arranged within the bore of the hollow shank 9, with its inner end operatively coupled to the eye of the bell crank arm 7 b, by a stiff push and pull link connection 15, at its front end bent approximately. at right angles to enter and take bearing in said eye and at its rear end having a laterally bent end 7 entering and taking bearing-in eye 14a, in the front end of the block 14. This push and pull link '15, extends longitudinally of the bore of the hollow shank 9, into the chamber within ca 3, wherein'the bell crank'is located, wit ample room to move laterally as the slide block 14, reciprocates and the bell late the bell crankand reciprocate the cutter blade back and forth on its; short cutting strokes. a The slide block, 14, is under constant urge to remain in and return toits' limit of fortion is not so limited. Also,

crank arm swings laterally to rapidly oscil-.

ward movement toward thehair clipper cutterhead underthe expansive powerof a coiled expansion spring 16, longitudinally located in the bore of the shank 9, and compressed between the outer end of slide block 14',"and the-screwed threaded stud 10a, of the outer end cap of the shank.

The base ofthefinger trigger is preferably mounted on and carried by this slide plug, for instance, through the medium of a radial ipin 17, secured to'both the block and the 'nger' trigger'base, and extending radially through a-longit-udinal slot 18, in the upper V If so desired, this slot can side of shank 9. beshortto-definethe desired possible stroke of the finger trigger, although my inventhe slide block is preferably so arranged and of such length as to always close said slot at its inner'side to prevent entrance of dirt or the liketo the interior of'shank 9. Also, if so desired, the radial 17, can constitute an axis on which the finger trigger can swing laterally to more comfortably accommodate the finger. Also, if sodesired, the'pin 17 can be screw threaded into either the block or trigger base t permit separation of parts. I

'lhe'hair clipper .of my invention is by reasonof its purposely peculiar formation and structure, adapted and intended for easy and convenient holding vand operation by either the right or lefthand,attaining"maximum steadiness of the advancing cutter head with substantial elimination of objectionable lateralcr side motion, when operated by either hand of even a person not skilled in the use of hair clippers; This hair clipper can be-grasped', operated, pressed to the skin, and thus advanced in successfully perform ing its hair cutting functions, by various methods of hand and finger grips, although its I prefer to grasp and-operate the same by fitting the large area convexed surface of cap 10, of the handle orshank 9, against the inner side or palm of the hand, say against'the ball of the thumb, with the shank extending forwardly between for instance, the middle and ring fingers and front of and'fitting or grasping the finger trigger, and: exerting; rearward pressure thereon to hold the cap 10, firmly seated against the hand palm; The clipper can thus be held pressed'against the skin'and advanced thereon by the forward pressure of the'hand on the cap 10, and can be guided and controlled by the fingers on the stem, all while the finger fitting, theltrigger rap idly increases and then diminishes-the rearward pressureon the trigger to cause the desired short rapid IGCIPIOCfltlOIl thereof without causing lateral or side waving or play of'the cutter headadjacent the baseof the little finger, for

the "middle finger in finger, curled back to fit in the front dished instance, with the shank extending forwardly between the little and ring fingers, with the little finger also if so desired, the ring or concaved'side of cap 10, to hold the cap against the palm, while the thumb, or possibly a finger, fitsthe front side of the finger trigger to constantly press said cap back against the palm, even while the thumb by rapidly alternating increased and diminishing rearward pressures causes short rapid reciprocation ofthe trigger and consequent rapid reciprocation of the cutter blade.

As hereinbefore explained, steadiness of the cutter head during the hair clipping operation and consequent avoidance of objectionable side motion, is attained because of the location of the finger trigger (whatever form of trigger may be employed) and the direction of'rearward pull thereon, along the front torear approximate longitudinal centralaxis of the hair clipper, and between the abutment of the supporting frame against the hand and the approximate center of the front edge of the cutters, said front edge being transverse and approximately perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.

The pull on the trigger is directly rearwardly longitudinally of the shank or han-' dle 9 and against the palm of the hand, while the rigid supporting frame composed of handle 9, and cap 10, is rigid with the hair-clipper head, in fact forms part thereof, with the handle extending rearwardly from said-head in the plane of the longitudinal axis of the hair clipper that intersects the transverse front edge of the comb plate at approximate right angles midway the length thereof. However, regardless of the particular forms of trigger employed, or of handle 9, or of the supporting frame of which, in this example, it forms a part, this frame is so formed and arranged and the finger trigger is so arranged and supported thereby, that the pull of the finger on said trigger will be resisted by thepalm or other portion of the hand, without transmitting such lateral or side stresses or strains on the hair clipper head or supporting frame, that will cause lateral or side waving or motion of the cutting head during the hair cutting operation. The steadiness of the cut-- ter head while in operation, is promoted by the direct rearward pull on the trigger againstthe tension of the spring 16, which preferably is constantly exerting forward pressure on the trigger even when the trigger is at its limit of forward movement, and hence the finger can always exert rear- .Ward pressure onth-e trigger to hold and maintain the cap 10, against the palm of the hand, and thus the hair clipper is held and grasped in position in the hand by the rearward pressureof a digitof the hand that projecting such element, vand hence, I herein employ the term trigger in a broad generic sense or meaning. Furthermore, Ido notv wish to limit my invention to any particular form of cap 10, or other abutment to firmly or otherwise seat against the hand, nor. do I wish to limit all features of my invention to approximately theform of the main or supportingframe shown or to the construction of cutter head shown, I

Furthermore, certain generic features .of my invention are not limited to a hair clipper wherein the hair clipper cap 3, forms an integral or rigidpart ofthe supporting frame such as handle or shank 9. In certain hair clipper types embodying generic features fof my invention the cap 3, controlled by its tension bolt can be a separate piece from the rigid shank 9, or its equivalent.

lVhat I claim is 1. A hand hair clipper having a front head provided with transverse front reciprocatory hair clipping means, saidhead hav: ing a rigid approximately central longitudinal rearwardly. extending shank at its rear end adapted to abut and seat against the palm portion of the hand for pressing the head against the skin and longitudinally advancing the same during the hair clipping operation, and means for actuating said hairclip ping means including a spring-pressed'trigform and ger movable longitudinally of said shank and provlding a row of forwardly projecting front cutting teeth, said row being arranged transverselywith respect to the front to rear longitudinal axis of said clipper, said clipare reciprocatory cooperating cutting blades per embodying an upwardly and rearwardly longitudinal supporting frame provided with a rear end enlarged head to fit and abut the palm portion of the hand, and mechanism for producing said relative blade reciprocation, said mechanism includ ing an operating trigger carried by said frame and exposed at the exterior thereof in advance of said enlarged head to receive a digit of said hand to cause back and forth i reciprocation of said trigger while holding said frame 'rearwardly with its head pressed back against the palm of said hand.

3. A hair clipper including hair clipping means having a front cutting blade reciprocatory transversely with respect to the front to rear longitudinal axis of the clipper; a rigid longitudinal supporting frame providing a rear abutment to seat back against the palm portion of the hand pressing said clipper against the skin and pushing the same forward thereon; and mechanism for reciprocating said blade, said mechanism including an operating trigger to be pulled rearwardly by a digit of a hand to hold said rear abutment back against the palm of said hand while said digit actuates the trigger to operate said cutting blade.-

4. A hair clipper ranged front hair clipping means, said clipper including a rearwardly extended handle to abut the palm portion of the operating hand when it is pressing the clipper to the skin and advancing the same the hair clipping operation; and a trigger operatively coupled to said clipping means to actuate the same, said trigger being movable forwardly and rearwardly in a plane approximately perpendicularly and centrally intersecting said front transverse cutting means, said trigger being arranged in ad- Vance of the'palm portion of ating the clipper to receive a digit of sald hand for exerting backward pull on the trigger for holding said handle pressed back against the palm of the hand and for moving the trigger.

5. A hair clipper having a rigid longitudinally elongated supporting frame projecting upwardly and rearwardly and at its rear formed with an abutment to seat rearwardly against the hand, said clipper having transversely arranged front hair clipping means; and mechanism for operating sai means, said mechanism including a finger trigger carried by said frame and movable backwardly toward said abutment and forwardly toward said clipping means, and spring means constantly actin on said trigger to force the same forwar 1y.

6. A hair clipper including transversely arranged front hair clipping means including a reciprocatory blade; a rearwardly projecting supporting frame providing a rear abutment to fit the operating hand and by which said hand advances the clipper;'and means for reciprocating said blade including a spring device and a finger actuated operating trigger arranged exteriorly of said frame in. advance of said abutment in position to be pulled back by a finger of said operating hand to press said abutment back against said hand while also actuating said trigger, said trigger having a straight line back and forth movement approximately alined with the front to rear longitudinal axis of the clipper.

7. A hair clipper including cutting blades with transversely arranged front rows of cutting teeth, at least one of said blades being reciprocatory; a main frame unit inhaving transversely arthereon during 7 the hand ope r cluding a cap and a hollow rearwardly extending stem as rigid parts thereof; means for holding the cap and blades in operative assembly; and means for operating said reciprocatory blade including crank means mounted in said cap and operatively coupled to said blade to reciprocate the same, a slide longitudinally reciprocatory in said stem and operatively coupled tosaid crank means to oscillate the same back and forth, a finger trigger arranged at the exterior of said stem and movable longitudinally thereof in a straight line and coupled to said slide; and spring means constantly acting on said trigger to yieldingly hold the same in and return the same to its limit of movement in one direction. I r I 8. A hand hair clipper of the hand-actuated cutter type having a single rigid rearwardly projecting shank or handle arranged in the plane of the central front to rear longitudinal axis of the clipper and provided with a finger trigger movable longitudinally thereof and connected to actuate said cutter, whereby said clipper is adapted to hair clipping operationunder the guidance and actuation of either the right or left hand.

9. A hand hair clipper ofthe hand-actuated cutter type having a single rigid rearwardly projecting shank or handle arranged in the plane of the central front to rear longitudinal axis of the clipper and provided with a finger trigger movable longitudinally thereof and connected to actuate said cutter, whereby said clipper is adapted to hair clipping operation under the guidance and actuation of either the right or left hand, said trigger upstanding from an intermediate portion of the length of said handle in position for rearward pressure by a finger or thumb of either hand against the palm portion of which said handle is held. I

10. A hand hair clipper of hand-actuate cutter type, provided with a finger trigger having straight line movement in the plane 1 of the front to rear longitudinal axis of said clipper, and operative cutter actuating connection between said trigger and the hair clipper cutter.

11. A hand hair clipper of the hand-actuated cutter type, provided with a rear abutment to fit the palm portion of either the right or left hand, and a forwardly-springpressed finger actuated movable element in advance of said abutment and operatively connected with the hair clipper cutter to actuate the same, by backward pull of a finger or thumb toward said abutment.

Signed at Racine, county of Racine, State of Visconsin, this 16thday of January, 1932.

1 JOHN DEAN. 

